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loony sense of humor

loony sense of humor

8.2
A way of being funny that is strange and silly
  • noun
  • /ˈluːni sɛns əv ˈhjuːmər/
  • Slang
translation icon : humor loco
  • His loony sense of humor always makes me laugh.

Examples

  • Her loony sense of humor makes even the dullest meetings entertaining.

  • My uncle's loony sense of humor always lightens up our family gatherings.

  • You need a loony sense of humor to appreciate that show.

  • She has a loony sense of humor that brightens my day.

  • His loony sense of humor often leaves everyone laughing at the most unexpected things.

  • She has a loony sense of humor that makes every gathering more fun and entertaining.

  • The comedian's loony sense of humor included silly voices and absurd jokes that always made the audience smile.

Synonyms

silliness
vsloony sense of humor
29 2.6

Playful or foolish behavior that is not serious and often funny

is more eccentric and crazily absurd than plain foolishness
buffoonery
vsloony sense of humor
5 7.9

Clown-like, silly actions meant to make people laugh

is less performative and more about odd, absurd personal humour
wackiness
vsloony sense of humor
  • Informal
2 5.3

A funny, strange way of acting that surprises and makes people laugh

is more about outright absurd or crazy elements rather than oddness alone
nuttiness
vsloony sense of humor
  • Informal
1 5.2

A playful, slightly silly way of behaving that makes people laugh

is similarly eccentric but stresses absurd or crazier elements more
ludicrousness
vsloony sense of humor
1 7.5

A situation so silly or unreasonable that people laugh and do not believe it

is closer to personal eccentric craziness rather than sheer ridiculousness
looniness
vsloony sense of humor
  • Informal
1 6.8

A very silly or crazy way of behaving that makes people laugh

is similar but highlights playful absurdity rather than plain craziness
zaniness
vsloony sense of humor
1 7.1

Funny, silly, unpredictable behaviour or ideas that make people laugh

leans more toward deliberate absurdity and craziness than mere unpredictability
quirky humor
vsloony sense of humor
1 4.9

Funny jokes or actions that are unusual and a little strange

is crazier and more absurd rather than merely unconventional or unique
absurdist humor
vsloony sense of humor
1 7.6

Funny events or lines that make no sense to surprise and amuse

is similar but focuses more on eccentric craziness than logic violation
comicality
vsloony sense of humor
1 7.4

A quality that makes people laugh

is narrower, focusing on eccentric, absurd, and crazier humorous style
screwiness
vsloony sense of humor
  • Informal
1 8.0

A strange way of behaving that is often funny or surprising

is more actively absurd and crazier rather than just odd
loony antics
vsloony sense of humor
  • Informal
8.4

Silly, wild actions people do to get attention

is broader, covering overall style rather than only attentiongetting acts
surreal humor
vsloony sense of humor
7.6

Funny situations that are strange and do not follow normal logic

shares surreal absurdity but the key is also more playful craziness
farcicality
vsloony sense of humor
9.9

Being very silly and absurd so it seems like a bad joke

is less theatrical and more about personal eccentric or crazy style
drollness
vsloony sense of humor
7.3

Being amusing in a slightly odd and unexpected way

is more overtly crazy and less quietly odd or whimsical
jocosity
vsloony sense of humor
  • Formal
9.9

To joke and be playful in a friendly way that makes people smile

is zanier and more eccentric than simple playful joking
clownery
vsloony sense of humor
  • Informal
6.1

Silly behavior meant to make people laugh

is broader and more eccentric rather than simple obvious foolish acts
clownishness
vsloony sense of humor
4.6

Behaving in a silly, playful way like a clown to make people laugh

is less costume based and more about strange, absurd comedic style
hoopy antic
vsloony sense of humor
  • Informal
9.9

Silly actions that try to make people laugh

is quirkier and zanier rather than merely silly entertainment
dotty sense of humor
vsloony sense of humor
  • UK
8.6

A playful, slightly odd way of making jokes that surprises people

is crazier and less simply whimsical or gently quirky

How Absurd

loony sense of humor
  • Slang
8.2
quirky humor
1 4.9
dry humor
  • US
1 5.3

Surface Forms

Morphology

loony + sense + of + humor

The phrase is compositionally transparent: 'loony' (eccentric/crazy) modifies 'sense of humor' (an ability or style of humor), so a learner who knows those words can infer a style of humor that is eccentric or absurd. This adjective + noun phrase pattern (modifier + 'sense of humor') is a regular, cross-linguistic construction and therefore readily comprehensible to a B1 learner who knows the constituents.

Etymology

Loony sense of humor comes from the word loony, which means a bit 'crazy' and was once linked to the old idea that the moon made people act strange. So a loony sense of humor creates the image of someone who likes very silly or odd jokes, and that is why it means a taste for strange, playful comedy.